Champions League Final

Oh, yes, this has all the markings of a classic Champions League final--two dynamo leaders, Barcelona's Ronaldinho and Arsenal's Thierry Henry, two attack-minded and dynamic squads (except if the Gunners decide to play like they did against Villarreal in the semi-finals) filled with international superstars, the possible return of Barca's Argentinean kid-fantastic Lionel Messi, no clear favorite, and all of it taking place in Paris, where 50 years ago the first Champions League final (then known as the European Cup) was played.

The game is on ESPN2 Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Pacific time. If you've never watched a soccer game in your life or have only seen a Premiership or an MLS game here and there but have never fully committed to the beautiful game, then this is an opportune time to do so.

Plenty of links to investigate further:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm

http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200506/story/0,,1776530,00.html

http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200506/story/0,,1776487,00.html

http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200506/story/0,,1776466,00.html

http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200506/story/0,,1776615,00.html

http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200506/story/0,,1776390,00.html

http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200506/story/0,,1776605,00.html

http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200506/story/0,,1775677,00.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4988348.stm